Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pushed back Tuesday night on claims that she was responsible for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s decision not to support a Republican stopgap funding bill, which ultimately led to a federal government shutdown. Speaking during an interview on MSNBC, Ocasio-Cortez addressed speculation that Schumer’s actions were motivated by fear of a potential primary challenge from her in 2028.

“This is so not about me,” she said, redirecting the conversation to the issue of healthcare. She emphasized the importance of extending Obamacare subsidies, which Democrats have prioritized. “What I’m not going to do is tolerate 4 million uninsured Americans because Donald Trump decided kids shouldn’t have access to insurance,” she added. She invited anyone blaming her to “come strike a deal” directly with her.

The interview followed rumors on Capitol Hill suggesting Schumer was attempting to appease the Democratic Party’s progressive base, fearing political fallout from the left if he compromised with Republicans. Host Chris Hayes posed the theory to Ocasio-Cortez, which she firmly rejected as a distraction from the core policy issues at stake.

Meanwhile, three Senate Democrats—Catherine Cortez Masto (Nev.), John Fetterman (Pa.), and independent Angus King (Maine)—broke ranks with their party to vote in favor of the GOP-drafted stopgap measure. The bill, however, failed 55–45, falling short of the 60 votes needed to advance.

Cortez Masto explained her vote by citing the economic strain her constituents are facing. She said a shutdown would worsen conditions for Nevada families. Republicans are expected to bring the bill up again on Wednesday, hoping more Democrats will join them in reopening the government—posing a potential challenge to Schumer’s leadership.

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